Norton Elementary School principal Ken Stites was fired from JCPS on May 30.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than a dozen witnesses are expected to testify in former Norton Elementary School principal Ken Stites' tribunal hearing next week.

At least two of the witnesses -- former Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Donna Hargens and Tom Hudson, the district's former chief business officer -- have been subpoenaed. Other witnesses include other current and former district employees.

Under state law, any certified public school employee who is terminated, suspended without pay or publicly reprimanded has the right to appeal the superintendent's decision to a tribunal. The panel consists of an active or retired teacher, an administrator and a lay person -- none of whom reside in the county involved in the dispute.

Nancy Hack, an administrator from Grayson County, Thomas Lynch, a teacher from Washington County; and Rick Haltermon, a layperson from Boone County, will make up the tribunal. Michael Head with the Kentucky attorney general's office will serve as the hearing officer in the case.

During a tribunal hearing, both sides subpoena witnesses to testify and who are subject to cross-examination by the other side. Each side also introduces exhibits to prove their case.

The tribunal panel then has five days to render a decision with a majority vote. The decision is binding and may be appealed to circuit court by either party.

“It was a very hard decision to make, because I am not ready to just sit at home for the rest of my life. But I have never been one to gamble. And I am tired of the worrying over whether my pension will be there or not. So I decided it was my time to go."

“It was a very hard decision to make, because I am not ready to just sit at home for the rest of my life. But I have never been one to gamble. And I am tired of the worrying over whether my pension will be there or not. So I decided it was my time to go."

Investigation states principal Tiffany Stith's actions have "effectively eliminated the (site-based decision making) council's authority at Smyrna Elementary School and put all authority into her hands."

Investigation states principal Tiffany Stith's actions have "effectively eliminated the (site-based decision making) council's authority at Smyrna Elementary School and put all authority into her hands."